Abstract: A solid image capturing device outputs image data and characteristic data of the solid image capturing device on the same output signal line. Both outputs are processed by the same circuit. In one embodiment, the characteristic data is optically stored in the solid image capturing device. In another embodiment, the characteristic data is non-optically stored in the solid image capturing device. The image field of the solid image capturing device includes an invalid image field located outside the effective image field. Signals output from the invalid image field include those concerning the characteristic data of the solid image capturing device.

Abstract: An image processing circuit enables the accurate detection of the focal length for focusing by using color data. The image processing circuit generates image data representing brightness and each of the colors of red, green and blue, image data to be used for focusing is selected either automatically or manually from the image data representing the brightness and the respective colors, and the amount of the weight for each respective image data is set. Images are photographed while the optical system is driven to change its focal length. A focal length is calculated for each selected image data. Weight is applied to each one of the calculated focal lengths so as to calculate a final focal length. This not only ensures accurate measurement of the distance for focusing but also increases the possibility of focusing on a subject which is characterized by specific color data.

Abstract: The invention enables to load and unload batteries of Varying sizes efficiently. Storage apparatus 10 is equipped with storage compartment 25 capable of storing battery A of three different kinds of thicknesses and a lid that covers an insertion port 34 of the storage compartment 25. Storage compartment 25 is internally equipped with position regulating plate part 70 on ceiling part 32 and ejection urging part 50, a thickness judging part, and contact point part 40 on end surface 33 at the back side. Position regulating plate part 70 is equipped with three rotatable position regulating plates 71, 72 and 73. Position regulating plates 71, 72 and 73 are urged by regulating springs 81, 82 and 83 to protrude vertically into storage compartment 25. When battery A is inserted, one through three position regulating plates 71, 72 and 73 guide battery A to cause it to be pressed to bottom surface part 31 of the storage compartment 25.

Abstract: The invention enables the accurate measurement of the distance for focusing regardless of blur of the subject image.

Abstract: In a digital camera, the state of copying is monitored and displayed when image data stored in a main memory are copied to an auxiliary memory, and data for preventing illegal copying are added thereto, in order to improve operability and reliability. When a copying mode is designated, the image data stored in the main memory MM upon photographing are transferred and copied to a detachable auxiliary memory MC by way of a bus B. During copying, the number of uncopied image data in the main memory MM and the number of image data which can be copied to the auxiliary memory MC are sequentially displayed in a liquid crystal display section 30, while each image data is copied with management data indicative of the date and time of copying or the like added thereto. Also, flag data indicating that copying is in progress and that copying has been completed are added thereto.

Abstract: This patent discloses a digital camera and an external device for both storing digital images from the camera and controlling certain camera functions. The external device may be either directly attached to the camera or remotely attached by way of a cable or similar device. The external device may also include a means for recording images onto removable recording media. The external device may also include a button for sending instructions to the camera to allow for switching between image resolution modes, flash lighting modes, and autofocusing modes.

Abstract: This camera has a plurality of light-emitting devices such as LED, which flicker in response to the number of shots which can be photographed. Also, while having no liquid crystal display for showing an error when it occurs, this camera has a non-volatile memory for writing an error code. When the camera is connected to a computer, the error code can be displayed on the computer screen.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for eliminating a line-crawling phenomenon caused by nonuniformity in photosensitive characteristics of light-receiving pixels disposed in a color imaging device. A pixel signal (S) output from a color imaging device (2) is converted by a sample-and-hold circuit (4) and an A/D converter (6) into pixel data (P) so as to be stored in an image memory (8). An arithmetic unit (12) multiplies luminance data formed on the basis of each pixel data (P) by a line-crawling correction coefficient (LC) stored in a nonvolatile memory (10), for example, so as to form and output luminance data (V) which is substantially equivalent to that obtained when the light-receiving pixels have a uniform photosensitive characteristic. The line-crawling correction coefficient (LC) has been determined beforehand.

Abstract: A storage device for recordable media provides for ease of access for replacing disks, and transportability with ease of installation at any desired site. A front storage portion and a rear storage portion both of which include magazines are arranged in a body case. Each magazine is capable of containing a plurality of disks. A transfer mechanism freely transfers disks from or to magazines of the front storage portion or the rear storage portion. A vertical motion drive mechanism moves the transfer mechanism to a desired transfer position to transfer a disk to or from a magazine. The transfer mechanism can be moved to a retracted position at a sufficient distance from the magazines so that an extension mechanism can move the front and rear storage portions along the body case.

Abstract: A power supply unit for an electronic device includes a power plug and an interconnection between the poser plug and the device. A power plug for an AC-DC adapter fits into a battery compartment of an electronic device instead of into a separate jack. The power supply unit includes an elastic cover that ensures a positive connection between the device and the power plug to prevent accidental disengagement of the power plug from the device. The power plug and battery compartment are configured so that an incorrect power plug cannot be connected by mistake. The configuration preferably includes a switch to signal the device that an AC-DC adapter is installed.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus excellent in color reproducibility without requiring a complicated circuit. In image pickup operation, a sum pixel signal (S.sub.CCD) output from a color image pickup element (100) is converted into digital sum pixel data (D.sub.CCD) through a sample/hold circuit (102) and an A/D converter (104). The digital sum pixel data is stored and held in a frame memory (106). In image reproduction, an arithmetic operation unit (108) executes an arithmetic processing program in a program memory (110) to read out the sum pixel data (D.sub.CCD) from the frame memory (106). The pixel data are multiplied by predetermined white balance adjustment coefficients, and color difference signals (B-Y) and (R-Y) of the horizontal lines are calculated.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing having a window surrounded by an opening edge; a light source arranged in the housing; a total reflection mirror arranged in the housing; and a diffusion reflection mirror for reflecting part of light emitted from the light source toward the window and at the same time reflecting another part of the light emitted from the light source toward the total reflection mirror, wherein light reflected by the total reflection mirror is guided to the window, thereby a target object can be uniformly and brightly irradiated, and good image information can be obtained.

Abstract: A camera viewfinder optical system is interlockingly connected with a rotatable cam ring used to zoom a camera lens barrel system unit forwardly in an optical axial direction thus eliminating a bulky cam portion on the outer surface of the cam ring so a more compact zoom lens barrel unit is possible.

Abstract: A lens barrel unit for a zoom lens camera which is more compact in the axial optical direction in the retracted state because the lens group moving means and linear movement guiding means are juxtaposed along the optical axis. The lens barrel unit also has a reduced outer diameter due to a reduction in the need for a separate outer helicoid portion of the moving means and elimination of guiding grooves on the inside of the fixed barrel unit.

Abstract: A zoom lens bearing camera comprises a zoom lens having a full-aperture F number which changes as a zoom focal length is changed, the zoom focal length being controllable to a desired value through electrical driving, a ranging unit for measuring a distance to a subject, a metering unit for measuring brightness of a scene containing the subject, an electronic flash unit for supplying as an auxiliary light source to the subject, a sensitivity detecting unit for detecting a film exposure sensitivity, a first data table in which optimum zoom focal lengths respectively corresponding to various subject distances are set, a second data table in which optimum zoom focal lenghts respectively corresponding to the various subject distances are set according to a range of the electronic flash, and a zoom focal length determining unit for determining the zoom focal length corresponding to the distance to the subject by selecting the first data table when a quantity of exposure obtained based upon the brightness of the sc

Abstract: In the multi point range finding device according to this invention, the photosensitive means 11 for detecting the light reflected from the subject (3) incudes the PSDs (20a) to (20c) which are disposed at positions and intervals corresponding to plural light-irradiating sources (4a to 4c), and the semiconductor resistance elements (21a to 21c), each of the PSDs (20a to 20c) and each of the semiconductor resistance elements (21a to 21c) are connected in series to each other, and a set of the PSDs (20a to 20c) as well as a set of the semiconductor resistance elements 21a to 21c are connected in parallel with one another. The photoelectric currents generated in the PSDs (20a to 20c) are outputted through common output electrodes E1 and E2. With this structure, a compact multipoint range finding device having high precision can be produced in low cost.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus includes a vertical register for storing and transferring color signals obtained as image signals related to at least three primary colors, a horizontal register for receiving the color signals transferred from the vertical register and a transfer controller for succeedingly transferring a series of color signals for every color composed of a series of data or one and the same color for one line related to the three primary colors, to the horizontal register in every horizontal blanking period, and for successively transferring and outputting the series of color signals transferred to the horizontal register. As a result, the image signal processing apparatus is made of a small size at a reduced cost by simplifying the circuit configuration.

Abstract: A paper feeder including a driven platen which receives paper fed from a paper feed roller mounted on a shaft. Also mounted on the shaft is a freely rotatable gear which cooperates with a one-way clutch by way of interengaging protrusions, to rotate the shaft mounting the paper feed roller. When the paper reaches the platen, the paper is fed at a faster rate than the feed rate of the paper feed roller so that the roller and shaft are rotated by the action of the paper. Whereupon, the protrusions disengage and the gear does not cause rotation of the one-way clutch until after the first sheet of paper has been completely fed.

Abstract: An image pickup device for viewing an image on a wall surface includes a mask for defining the extent of the focal plane of a viewed image which will be reproduced by a linear image sensor positioned to scan the masked area. Binary data representative of the scanned image is generated and controls a printer which reproduces the masked portion of the image. The size of the masked image is restored to the full size capability of the printer by a data scaling circuit which precludes the need for utilizing a zoom lens in the image pickup device.